What happened
On August 14, 2002, an A319, registration I-BIMO, operated by Alitalia, was preparing for departure from Lamezia Terme Airport. During the takeoff roll on runway 28, the flight crew observed a maintenance vehicle, identified as "Giallo 31," stationary on the runway centerline. The crew noted the vehicle's presence when the aircraft had already reached a speed of approximately 40 to 50 knots. Believing that continuing the takeoff was the safest course of action, the crew proceeded with the departure. The vehicle was estimated to be approximately 600 meters from the rotation point when it was cleared from the runway.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation focused on the coordination between ground and tower controllers and the status of the maintenance vehicle. The investigation established that the ground controller (GND) had authorized the vehicle to resume work on the runway after a period of inactivity. However, no radio communication had occurred between the ground controller and the vehicle between 17:03 and the time of the incident. Furthermore, the investigation found that the vehicle in use was a temporary rental car, which lacked the standard high-visibility markings and safety equipment required for operations within the maneuvering area.
Findings
- The primary cause was the issuance of takeoff clearance by the Lamezia APP controller while the maintenance vehicle was still occupying the runway, without verifying that all safety requirements for the clearance had been met.
- The use of a rental vehicle that did not meet visibility and safety regulations made the vehicle harder to detect.
- Inadequate coordination between the ground (GND) and approach (APP) controllers.
- Environmental factors, specifically the low position of the sun on the horizon, likely hindered the crew's ability to identify the vehicle earlier in the takeoff roll.